SILENT SPORTS SHORTS NOVEMBER 2008 Wisconsin ranked No. 2 bicycling state in U.S.; Minnesota and Illinois make the top ten, too Wisconsin bike-ped projects to get $17 million Trek funds CAMBA singletrack project Silent Sports bought by Journal Community Publishing Group Kenosha to debut Wisconsin Marathon in May 2009 Badger State Games adds trail run, incentive for high schoolers

Wisconsin ranked No. 2 bicycling state in U.S.; Minnesota and Illinois make the top ten, too

Wisconsin is the second best bicycling state in the country, according to the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). Only Washington topped the Badger State on LAB's list of Bicycle Friendly States.

Minnesota rounded out the top five based on an evaluation of 70 factors. Also ranked were Illinois (No. 8), Michigan (No. 12) and Iowa (No. 21).

 LAB said Wisconsin's second place ranking is a recognition of its use of available federal funding for cycling related projects and programs, high bicycle usage statewide and a thriving bicycle industry and growing advocacy movement.

"Wisconsin looks to move to the top of the list,"LAB said in a press release.

The survey is the first of an expected annual ranking of states supported in part by the Trek Bicycle Corp. of Waterloo.

To rank No. 1, however, Wisconsin will need to upgrade existing bicycle laws, train police to enforce existing bicycle laws, uniformly include more bicycle-friendly features in road construction projects and allocate more money for bicycle and pedestrian projects.

These are the areas in which LAB believes Wisconsin needs to improve, according to the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin (BFW).

"Even with our high ranking, the BFW will never be completely satisfied and will always advocate for more infrastructure, stronger laws, and better education"BFW Executive Director Jack Hirt wrote in his organization's newsletter.

To that end, BFW was able to raise a record $100,000 at its annual Saris Gala Fundraiser in Madison on October 17. More than 400 people attended, including Chicago resident and Tour de France rider Christian Vande Velde.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi called the LAB's high ranking for the state "further proof of the state's success in expanding bicycling opportunities in urban areas, considering bicyclists' needs on state highway improvement projects and through our partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rails-to-trails initiative."

DNR Secretary Matt Frank noted that the recently reauthorized Nelson-Knowles Stewardship Program has earmarked $3 million for additional trail acquisition over the next 10 years. In 1965 Wisconsin was the first state to convert abandoned railway beds into recreational trails promoting hiking, biking, snowmobiling and some ATV use.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy recently named the Elroy-Sparta recreation trail to the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. Elroy-Sparta is only the 7th inductee into the hall. Wisconsin has one of the largest recreational trail systems in the country with 42 named trails and nearly 10,000 miles of roads suitable for bicycle touring.

LAB ranks other upper Midwest states

LAB explained the ranking of four other Midwestern states as follows:

MINNESOTA (No. 5)

"In addition to their exemplary bike-related laws, Minnesota further strives to protect and promote cyclists through its model Share the Road campaign. The state also has a policy requiring bike parking at state buildings, as well as state funding for the installation of bike racks."

ILLINOIS (No. 8)

"Illinois passed a Complete Streets law in 2007 and has a statewide bike map with suitability ratings. However, there are no performance measures or project lists in the state bike plan."

MICHIGAN (No. 12)

"Michigan has a rumble strip policy with a minimum 4 feet of clearance and dedicated state funding for bicycle projects. However, there is no routine accommodation or Complete Streets policy."

IOWA (No. 21)

"In Iowa, bicycle enforcement is included in police academy training and there are good education efforts for cyclists and motorists. However, the state has no bike master plan."

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Wisconsin bike-ped projects to get $17 million

Forty-seven projects in Wisconsin, mostly bicycle and pedestrian trail extensions and improvements, will share nearly $17 million in federal funds allocated by the state.

The projects include completing the Badger State trail with 6.1 miles of asphalt between Madison and Fitchburg ($871,600), extending the Starkwater Path on the east side of Madison 2.5 miles to the Madison Area Technical College ($1.32 million), adding bike lanes on Madeline Island ($608,800) and constructing a bridge to connect the Mitchell Park Domes to the Hank Aaron State Trail in Milwaukee ($980,011).

Smaller grants will pay for comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plans for La Crosse ($80,000), Appleton ($40,000) and Rice Lake ($25,600).

Trail and bridge projects in Portage, Menomonie, Eau Claire, Armstrong Creek, Green Lake, Onalaska, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Glendale, Rhinelander, Kimberly, Hayward, Sawyer County, Land O' Lakes, Boulder Junction, Whitewater and Neenah-Menasha also won funding.

The grant process was highly competitive. In fact, the 40-some projects that won the federal Transportation Enhancement grants represented only 30 percent of the applications. This year, 155 bike-ped projects sought funding. To fund them all would have cost an estimated $80 million, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

The project applications were evaluated based on federal and state eligibility criteria, metropolitan planning organization priorities and recommendations made to the DOT Secretary.

The funded projects, to be completed between 2010 and 2012, will require a minimum 20 percent local match.

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Trek funds CAMBA singletrack project

At the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival (CFTF) last month, Trek Bicycle Corp. presented the Chequamegon Area Bike Association (CAMBA) with a check for $8,100 and pledged additional financial support for CAMBA's singletrack trail development initiative over the next two years.

Trek employees John Riley and Harry Spehar presented the check -" a donation matching the amount raised through the Save the Trails checkoff on all CFTF entry forms. In addition, Riley said TREK would commit to matching grants up to $10,000 for each of the next two years. Spehar said the support for CAMBA is in keeping with Trek's One World, Two Wheels program leveraging grass roots bicycling programs.

Ron Bergin, CAMBA's executive director, thanked Riley, Spehar and Trek for their vote of confidence in CAMBA's trail development efforts."We are building something today that will eventually have the same significance for biking as the Birkie Trail does for skiing," he said.

CAMBA's trail construction agenda is still sizeable and will require support beyond Trek's financial commitment, Bergain said. A recent fundraising letter was sent to over 2,200 individuals to help raise money for 2008 construction.

Members, area businesses and mountain bikers everywhere are encouraged to make a meaningful contribution as CAMBA continues to develop one of the finest systems of singletrack trails in the country.

For more information, contact Bergin at 715/798-3599 or camba@cheqnet.net.

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Silent Sports bought by Journal Community Publishing Group

On October 7 Journal Community Publishing Group (JCPG), a subsidiary of Journal Communications Inc., purchased the Waupaca Publishing Company, including Silent Sports magazine.

The purchase consisted of several Waupaca, Wisconsin-area weekly newspapers as well as Wisconsin State Farmer and Wisconsin Horsemen's News. The latter publications and Silent Sports will "extend our niche media offerings, which help our advertisers reach specialized audiences," said David Honan, vice president and general manager of JCPG.

Journal Communications, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, publishes the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and 52 community newspapers and shoppers in Wisconsin and Florida, owns and operate 35 radio stations and 12 television stations in 12 states and manages more than 121 associated online enterprises.

Waupaca Publishing, a 60-year-old family business, started publishing Silent Sports 25 years ago as the brainchild of editor Greg Marr. Marr passed away in December 2003.

"Silent Sports has always been the product of the dedication and enthusiasm of its staff, contributors and readers " runners, cyclists, skiers and paddlers " and of its owner," Silent Sports Editor Joel Patenaude said. "While the ownership has changed, the source of our determination to sustain the magazine is undiminished."

Silent Sports will remain in Waupaca, Patenaude will continue as editor and Jim Wendt, advertising manager for Silent Sports for the past 18 years, will also remain in his position.

"Jim and I are optimistic the magazine will flourish under its new owners who recognize the potential of such a unique publication promoting active and healthful living in the upper Midwest."

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Kenosha to debut Wisconsin Marathon in May 2009

The Kenosha Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau, working with Chicago Sports Media Inc., has announced the official formation and registration launch of the Wisconsin Marathon. The marathon, to be located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is scheduled to take place May 2, 2009.

Drawing on hopes that a major marathon event an hour from Chicago will increase Kenosha's visibility and bolster its local economy, city officials have been quick to support the race.

"Kenosha's lakefront, its neighborhoods and its parks are beautiful. They'll provide a terrific backdrop for the race," Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman said. "I believe that new visitors to Kenosha will be happily surprised not only by Kenosha's great scenery, but also by the welcoming spirit of our residents"

The Wisconsin Marathon course will follow Kenosha's picturesque Lake Michigan shoreline and dart in and out of downtown Kenosha twice.

"Our partnership with the Wisconsin Marathon and local government agencies will give visiting participants, friends and family the opportunity to experience the Kenosha area and discover why it is a great place to live, work and play," said Dennis DuChene, president of the Kenosha Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In addition to having a full marathon, the Wisconsin Marathon will also debut a half marathon course.

Runners and spectators seeking more information or interested in registering for the Wisconsin Marathon can visit the race online at www.Wisconsin Marathon.com.

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Badger State Games adds trail run, incentive for high schoolers

The Badger State Winter Games has opened registration for the 2009 contests and announced a couple of additions for the 21st year of the competition, sponsored by American Family Insurance.

It's not that they're expecting another no-snow winter, but the organizers have added a trail run to the usual lineup of skiing, skating, curling, hockey and indoor soccer. The idea was to add a race that didn't require specialized equipment or an agonizing wax selection.

The date and location for the simple lace-'em-up-and-go event has yet to be determined.

Also new for 2009 is a high school incentive challenge. When participants register, they will vote for a high school, whether it's their alma mater or a sentimental favorite. (Go Owls.)

The schools garnering the most votes within three divisions based on enrollment will win cash grants to support their physical education program: $1,000 for first, $500 for second and $250 for third.

"We are aware that physical education programs across the state work with limited budgets,"said Ron Vincent, chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Sports Development Corp. "As an organization that fosters healthy and active lifestyles, we saw an opportunity to support those programs and in turn get more people active in the games."

Events in the 2009 games will be spread out over three weekends, starting with nordic skiing at the Nine Mile Forest outside of Wausau on January 24. Organizers preferred the weekend of January 31 to avoid a conflict with the Noquemanon Ski Marathon in Marquette, Michigan, but the Nine Mile venue was booked for the Special Olympics that weekend.

"We're not trying to compete, but we didn't have many options,"said Jessica Gammey, communications director for the Badger State Games. "It's a scheduling thing and we hope next year to be back to a nonconflicting schedule."

The snowboarding and speed-skating competitions will be held January 30 to February 1, 2009, and the games close the following weekend with alpine skiing, curling hockey, figure skating and indoor soccer at venues near Wausau, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac.

For more information on specific events and registration, go to www.sportsinwisconsin.com.

Tom Held/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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